I was 25. I'd spent my entire life in Brisbane. I relied almost entirely on fortunate circumstances and book-smarts. But I wasn't streetwise, independent or, frankly, all that capable.

Mum was still doing my washing. Cooking. Cleaning the house. I barely paid any board. I had my own space, a Foxtel connection, air-conditioning, a subsidised car and a pool. Life was sweet.

Was it, though? Three years later, nearly 28, I realised I was blind to the reality that sometimes, you just need to grow the hell up. I wasn't immature emotionally, sure, but I certainly took things for granted. I could vote, work full-time and think for myself, yet I wasn't living as an independent adult. Not at all. I was taking the easy out. The lazy option.

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Comments on this story

I think most of those things you should be able to do much younger. I think you need to get out more if you think that you have been able to achieve something by completing those things. You must live a very exciting life.

Comment 1 of 89

Dee of Sydney Posted at 4:26 PM October 20, 2013

Seriously 30 years old? As a 29 year old I find this article disturbing. You should be able to do these things before you are 20 years old!! The author needs to go back to their cotton wool padded box and do some more growing up...or would they need some help with this task too?!!?!

Comment 2 of 89

Chris of Brisbane Posted at 4:32 PM October 20, 2013

I did all those before I was 20 and I'm still younger then you. Definitely won't be letting my kids get in your situation.

Comment 3 of 89

Alien Posted at 4:53 PM October 20, 2013

Cool. I'm 28 and #1 is the only one I'm missing. But I have RACQ roadside assistance. And anyway, too many people have been hit and killed by some inattentive idiot while they were crouching down to change a flat. So I'm gonna leave that one to the professionals. Change #1 to "Get an RACQ membership for heaven's sake".

Comment 4 of 89

Alicia Posted at 5:01 PM October 20, 2013

Not all spare tyres are those temporary space saver types...

Comment 5 of 89

Alex Griffiths of Perth Posted at 5:17 PM October 20, 2013

Dude you are a loser. Most people are doing this stuff by the time they are 21.

Comment 6 of 89

Chris of Australia Posted at 5:19 PM October 20, 2013

Scares me that people haven't done this kind of things in the real world. I had done all these things by the time I was 20.
P.S you're technically changing the wheel with a tyre on it, not just the tyre.

Comment 7 of 89

Jeffrey of Melbourne Posted at 5:34 PM October 20, 2013

What a load of rubbish. Most of these trivial little things would be accomplished by 20! I flew and landed a Boeing 737 before I was 18.

Comment 8 of 89

Terribla Posted at 5:42 PM October 20, 2013

Seth Rogen is so cute!

Comment 9 of 89

Deb of Sydney NSW Posted at 5:55 PM October 20, 2013

Actually, I read the headlines and thought 'here we go again...another 20 something, or even 30 something expert who knows bugger all about life'. I was pleasantly surprised... alittle bit of tongue in cheek, and a bit of sense. But do you know what? I left home at when I married at 20, had my first of four children at 23, and missed out on some of those things until I was older. My son moved out 3 years ago, at 25, and my daughter is about to move at 25. Do they know the above...nope. Will they learn...yep. Will they be a success...yep. And life goes on:)

Comment 10 of 89

Sandy of Cairns Posted at 6:08 PM October 20, 2013

You need to get out more, set your life goals a little higher perhaps

Comment 11 of 89

jay Posted at 6:11 PM October 20, 2013

You should write a book! "How to be self reliant and live like an adult" it would be a best seller!

Comment 12 of 89

Johnny John of Brisbane, QLD Posted at 6:23 PM October 20, 2013

What kind of princess is the writer? Is this for real? I've done all of this and beyond when I got to 17.

Comment 13 of 89

Paul J of Perth Posted at 6:29 PM October 20, 2013

Well, point 1 is only valid if you have one of those awful space saver tyres. A full size spare can stay on permanently.

Comment 14 of 89

some guy of SA Posted at 6:32 PM October 20, 2013

fail

Comment 15 of 89

Andy Henderson of Brisbane Posted at 6:36 PM October 20, 2013

Things to know before you are 30? You should know all these before you are out of your teens!

Comment 16 of 89

David T Posted at 6:39 PM October 20, 2013

Sorry mate, the tyre one is not quite right. Loosen the nuts *before* you raise the car otherwise the wheel can spin. Just easier :)

Comment 17 of 89

Matt Posted at 6:42 PM October 20, 2013

This story is a joke, right?
If the writer thinks these are 8 things you need to know/do whatever! before you're 30.......then - they still haven't grown up!

Comment 18 of 89

Kerryn of Brisbane Posted at 6:45 PM October 20, 2013

...Wait, there are people who don't know this stuff at the age of 18? I'm 25 and while I went home to my parents for a year or two after a bad breakup I still knew how to clean up and pay my own way (parents had me pay board, which was completely fair). Seriously...

Comment 19 of 89

Ben of Sydney Posted at 6:48 PM October 20, 2013

This is certainly a very humble success list! Most articles like this insist you're supposed to have had sex with 50 people, bought a house, have a self managed super fund, own 9 Armani suits and traveled to at least 7 countries overseas. Well I feel like quite the over achiever after reading this one so thank you for making my evening.

Comment 20 of 89

Paul Chao of Box Hill Posted at 6:50 PM October 20, 2013

Proper First Aid treatment. Should be in schools.

Comment 21 of 89

Chris B of Tas Posted at 6:56 PM October 20, 2013

All good. One hint though. > Loosen the nuts a little before you jack it up. Makes the process much easier. Also do the final tighten after you drop it off the jack.

Comment 22 of 89

deargoodness of Sydney Posted at 6:56 PM October 20, 2013

A round of applause for the writer - he's conquered some challenges. Now at 28 can cook, clean and look after himself.
Is this really your achievement list by 30? If it was a list of some basic things to do by 23 or 25, then maybe I wouldn't think of you as indulgent and naive with a dash of self entitlement.

Comment 23 of 89

Phil of Melbourne Posted at 6:58 PM October 20, 2013

Im 29, I can do all but hold a baby. I was given one today and she started to cry straight away!

Comment 24 of 89

Mum_of_one of Penrith Posted at 7:00 PM October 20, 2013

As a 30 year old who has been independent since 15, I agree with all except #2 - by 30 you should have learnt to tie a full Windsor not just a half (which is what you have explained). This makes you go from high school boy to classy adult in a suit. It makes a difference - trust me. And ladies, this goes for you too. If you have a child and are a single mum, like me, you need to teach your boy how to tie a full Windsor knot in a tie.
Albeit, I loved the article - there are so many life lessons to learn and the ones you have mentioned really are critical if anyone is expecting to live till they're old and grey.
Being a responsible, independent adult is the best feeling. Especially when so many adults out there are relying on the lap of luxury found whilst living at their parents. All well and good to accept help from your parents in the form of rent free living - but rent free doesn't stop you from doing your own washing, cleaning and a little cooking every now and then.

Comment 25 of 89

bob of syd Posted at 7:04 PM October 20, 2013

so much intelligence went into this article ... pff

Comment 26 of 89

M of Melbourne Posted at 7:09 PM October 20, 2013

This is light-weight sh*t that everyone should be able to do before 20.

Comment 27 of 89

Jimmy Posted at 7:16 PM October 20, 2013

So what you're saying is you were a sheltered uni student who finally had to stop suckling at your mums tit and join the real world. At 25. Nothing to gloat about there champo. That should be a list to accomplish by 20. After that you're just a man child.

Comment 28 of 89

Stephan of Adelaide Posted at 7:23 PM October 20, 2013

Wow. People in their 30's don't know how to do these things already?? I don't want to live in this world anymore...

This list is written by someone who is still in their independent infancy. I moved out of home at 16 due to year 11/12 and university being 200km away from where my parents live. I lived in student accommodation until moving into a unit at 18 and purchased my first house at 22. I am now early 30's and own 3 houses have travelled to 25 countries and can safely say that this list is something you should have mastered by the time you are 20. Maybe when your 40 you will come up with the real list for things you should know by the time you reach 30.

Comment 30 of 89

TB Queensland Posted at 7:34 PM October 20, 2013

What has my world crumbled into ... or should I just say WTF!
Oh, I was born in 1947 ... (that means I'm 66) ... just celebrated 45 years of marriage ... two kids and five g/kids ...
... if you think that's all you need to know/do ... quite frankly ... you're doomed ... or just plain stoopid ...
LOL! ;-) Get off the fkn dumb-phone and do stuff! LOL!

Comment 31 of 89

Lilithia of Australia Posted at 7:34 PM October 20, 2013

Number 5 should be something you know from primary school. There is no excuse. Age is irrelevant.

Comment 32 of 89

Rusty Griswald of Geelong Posted at 7:39 PM October 20, 2013

Moron journalism.

Comment 33 of 89

Michael of Pertg Posted at 7:49 PM October 20, 2013

If you cant do hese things at 18 its not your fault. You have useless parents.

Comment 34 of 89

Percy of Surry Hills Posted at 7:55 PM October 20, 2013

Apparently you still need to learn how to tie a tie...

Comment 35 of 89

AMS of QLD Posted at 7:57 PM October 20, 2013

Wow. Seven of which I'd "achieved" by age 16. And I'm only 40. Perhaps you should've had a 9th tip. Don't put your name to an article that shows just how sheltered and immature you really must be.

Comment 36 of 89

Dmitri Schtiff of Melbourne Posted at 7:57 PM October 20, 2013

If these are the things you need to know how to do by 30 then you are a completely useless piece of work , and danger to yourself and our society. I really feel sorry for you.

Comment 37 of 89

Mia of Brisbane Posted at 8:00 PM October 20, 2013

I pretty sure all of my friends and family had accomplished the things on your list by the time we were 19. I understand that we all mature at different rates, but seriously?

Comment 38 of 89

Lola of Brisbane Posted at 8:00 PM October 20, 2013

People only buy manual cars if they can't afford the auto version, unless they're rev-heads. Learning to drive competently is more important than learning about ageing technology. And yes, I can drive a manual, but I don't because they're crap.

Comment 39 of 89

James of Not narnia Posted at 8:00 PM October 20, 2013

Did all of them by 13.... talk about setting the bar low.

Comment 40 of 89

A Champ Posted at 8:06 PM October 20, 2013

i did all of these before I turned 20

Comment 41 of 89

jez Posted at 8:09 PM October 20, 2013

26 years old and have accomplished all.
never owned an Auto Car!
But cant wait to get one ='(
Tired of gears

Comment 42 of 89

CC of Australia Posted at 8:21 PM October 20, 2013

Wow. Basic skills you'd expect from a 16-year-old in the 80's are now what we'd expect from a 30-year-old? Fall of Rome, anyone? Here's a few tips for the under 30's: Don't wear boat shoes (you don't call them that) unless you're over 40. They were "cool" in the 70's. Don't wear burgundy trousers (Sorry, you call them pants) unless you're in One Direction and learn the meaning of the word "irony". In other words, find your own identity and have the courage to live it. Stop stealing from every generation that went before you. That is all.

Comment 43 of 89

k Posted at 8:27 PM October 20, 2013

You have lived a sheltered life if you think those are the things you need to know prior to turning 30.

Comment 44 of 89

Crystal Jones of Australia Posted at 8:27 PM October 20, 2013

Differentiate between there, they're and their by 30? I'd be worried if people didn't know that by 13...

Comment 45 of 89

Mike Posted at 8:35 PM October 20, 2013

If this is an example of modern Australia then I am really glad we moved overseas five years ago. I wouldn't want our first child growing up in Australia if this is the example of an Australian man well into his adult life.

Comment 46 of 89

Pete of CC Posted at 8:39 PM October 20, 2013

Hee Hee Hee.... been there done all of that - left home at 17, holding dinner parties at 25, drove a manual for too many years, know my way around a tie, my first Ikea at 18, moved 12 times over 20 years, travelled heaps, overseas 7 times, lived life, lived by myself for 10 of those years, loved it - good times and bad. What would I do different? If I could do it again and having the forsight/hindsight I have now, been more pro-active in my decisions and life choices. Don't coast along, don't cruise, don't leave it up to fate or kismet or karma or simple opportunities - grab life by the horns and challenge yourself, do things you wouldn't normally do. Not illegal stuff or stuff that has the potential to harm others, just stuff that really helps you grow and be a better person, a more fufilled person. No regrets but don't wimp out on life.

Comment 47 of 89

Chung Nguyen of ASIA Posted at 8:51 PM October 20, 2013

I'm twenty-sixths years old.
There is something which I have done and have not.
I will try to do all before my [Nearly] 30 :)

very insightful. i'm 25 and i can do 6 out of those things so I suppose i'm tracking well!

Comment 49 of 89

Tobias Wilkins Posted at 9:03 PM October 20, 2013

I'm your age.
Moved out of home when I was 18 (like a normal person)
And did most of these things in my late teens, early 20s...
Grow up! And stop giving Gen Y a bad name!
No wonder these old farts think we're lazy and sheltered... You propagate a stereotype, and clearly need to get a kick up the arse from reality.

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